Sport

Sordell: We cannot be silent on racism

MARVIN Sordell has encouraged more footballers to speak out about racist abuse.

The Wanderers striker talked about his experiences with racism as part of a special report by Sky Sports News, aired this week.

Sordell reported a racist remark aimed at him by a Millwall fan earlier this season, which led to the youngster being banned from the ground for the “foreseeable future”.

The report highlighted that racism is still very much a problem in the game, but the England Under-21s striker believes progress will only be made once players begin to speak openly about the subject.

“The first thing that needs to happen is that we can’t be silent,” the striker said. “We need to make people aware that there is a problem going on, and only when people are aware of that can it be sorted out.

“I wouldn’t say [the abuse] is shocking, but it does surprise me. Living in a country which is very developed and so multicultural, it’s surprising that it can still go on, but it doesn’t exactly shock me.”

Sordell was also part of the England Under-21s squad that was subjected to some horrific racist chants in Serbia last year.

“Sometimes it does give me that bit of fire and make me want to do better just to prove people wrong and show them that I can rise above it,” he added.